I received a copy of my consultant surgeons letter to the head of our local practice today after my review a couple of weeks ago, it reads rather well, an extract below.

"I reviewed Mr Lambert in my neurosurgical clinic today which was an absolute pleasure. He is making fantastic progress in his recovery following major surgery for a parasagittal meningioma. Initially post op Mr Lambert lost most of the function in the right leg and some of the function in the right arm however, over the next 48 hours things improved markedly such that he was left with a degree of foot drop. Our physiotherapy team worked quite intensively with him during his admission and he was subsequently repatriated to Airedale. However he was quickly sent home thereafter. He currently has some more locally based physiotherapy input which I think is continuing to help. We noted during his admission that he had a very high baseline, enjoying a lot of activity and therefore we are keen to try and get him back to this level.

From a surgical point of view we believe that we were able to remove all of the tumour that could be seen with the naked eye.

He goes on to confirm that my reference MRI will be booked for three months post op and that I will have a clinical review at 1 year with follow up MRI scans each year for the next 10 years. The first few scans will be done at Leeds so that he is aware of the results quickly. Later scans may be done closer to home. Also that I am aware that if I have any concerns in the future I can contact them.

Scan to come in January but I don't think it could be any better less than 8 weeks post op when I saw him last month.

I'm impressed by the level of aftercare you're getting. The physiotherapy (why do they always call it intensive), has been quickly and readily available. I needed it after the hips - but both times the GP advised paying rather than waiting many weeks. I did so, but soon gave up on them. I don't think it made much difference in the final outcome.

In my case I was asked to take part in a final year neuro physiotherapy students last project to help her qualify. She, Laura needed a willing participant committed to the exercise regime. It was explained that I would need to be photographed and videoed extensively throughout the treatment but it meant that I got two sessions of, (yes intensive) physio every day. I signed on the dotted line.

Laura was fantastic and identified what was needed to straighten me out after 20 years of compensating by my left side, she also worked on a dropped scapula and weak turned out right foot. I can now walk straighter with my right foot and have no doubt that the two weeks or so double sessions I had with Laura and the rest of the physio team set me on the right course. I am now 8 weeks post major brain surgery and can walk without sticks although I still tire easily. This is common and will only get better if I keep up the effort. Having said that I need to work through my exercise regime for the second time today.

Thanks Kev, the high baseline referred to by Mr Anderson was fell walking and cycling. I have told Laura that I will send her a picture of the first trig that I get back up to. She is going to send me a copy of her project when it is finalised and is going on maternity leave at the end of December, she was nearly 6 months pregnant when she was taking the lead on my recovery.

On day one of my treatment the physio's told me that if left alone without any treatment at all everyone will recover given time. What they do is alter the quality or end result of the recovery. Your brain is designed to compensate to whatever degree it has to to keep you mobile and functioning. It is also not bothered if you are walking twisted, bent over or with a pronounced limp or all three as long as you are mobile. Interesting to note that the area of your brain that controls sex drive is right in the centre of the brain buried at the deepest part, this is to ensure that even if you are totally disabled there will still be the urge to procreate and continue the species. Female elephants try to invoke the same response from old males that are dying. Fantastic thing your brain, infinite capacity to reconfigure which is what I am trying to do.

I had a visit yesterday from an Intensive Home Support Service nurse who came to check on me, take my obs. etc and check I am OK with my meds. She will be here later and all week, after that she will check in regularly. If I have any problems I just ring them, they can help with meds etc to avoid doctors unless they think necessary and avoid more hospital if possible. This is arranged by the hospital.